Why Chomi Chose the BA Social Work Track

Chomi shares her journey towards earning her BA in Psychology - Social Work Track.

How did you first hear about Sara Schenirer?

Sara Schenirer is one of the most popular programs in Lakewood. I have friends who graduated from there, my roommate became a therapist through the program, and a family friend works for the organization. When I was considering enrolling, I called her and she spent a lot of time telling me about the program. I also did my own research to compare it to other options and Sara Schenirer was the most flexible in terms of the Jewish calendar. On top of that, the staff were welcoming and gracious and so easy to work with, that I just knew it was the right place for me.

What inspired you to pursue a BA in Psychology with Social Work?

Before this, I was in the field of real estate which I enjoyed for a while, but I realized it was not my passion. I knew I needed a change in my life and was thinking about different ideas that aligned with my personality and interests. I had discussions with a mentor who suggested social work and I had also been involved in several different situations helping people. I realized this was an area where I could really thrive and succeed, so I took the leap.

How prepared did you feel when you first started? What surprised you most about your classes?

I had been out of school for about eight years so going to college wasn’t a decision that I made lightly. I knew that the academic standards would be high, and the courses were going to be rigorous, but I wasn’t prepared for how time-consuming the work would be and it surprised me to learn how much structure I needed to implement in my life to complete the program. At the same time, it was an amazing shift because I so genuinely wanted to be there and accomplish this goal, which made all the difference in being able to push through. College is intense, but it is absolutely doable with the right mindset.

What has been your favorite part of your experience so far? Most challenging?

I really enjoy the in-person classes on Sundays, especially the smaller-sized ones. There's something about building rapport with your classmates and having a structured day. There are benefits to taking courses on Zoom as well, but I particularly look forward to Sunday classes.

One of my favorite parts of the program is how it highlights certain specialties within the field.  For me it was social work, and even though my bachelor’s degree is in psychology, I still gained so much information regarding social work that I wouldn't necessarily have acquired in a different program. I feel more prepared to go on to my master’s because I have a concept of what social work courses entail and what I am going to be learning. Through my classes, I was able to see just how much I enjoy the subject and realize that it truly is the right field for me.

Something that was slightly challenging for me was learning how to find sources for my papers. My teachers were amazing at showing us how to cite sources, but it took me some time to get a handle on how to find the sources needed. For instance, I didn’t know which legitimate websites to explore for valid information and what kind of keywords to use to search.

What skills are important for success in this program?

A key point that became evident through my studies is the need for a social worker to step back and view a client as an individual and not through the therapist’s own life lens. While this is something I think I understood intuitively, the curriculum really put it into perspective and gave me true clarity. A lot of people come into this field and think they have so much to offer from the well of their own experiences, but that’s not what a client necessarily wants. They want to be heard from the viewpoint of their own life. My professors really emphasized and conveyed this idea well.

How much time do you spend on coursework outside of class?

The courses are fantastic and you acquire a lot of information in class, but I also feel there’s a certain type of learning that happens through homework that is different from the classroom experience. Some weeks require more time for homework than others, but I estimate that I spend about two hours a day on work outside school. Depending on the class, the homework varies, but it all focuses on developing different concepts related to the field. The assignments are not simply busy work. Very often, they involve self-reflection and practical application of lessons. If you tap into the tasks, there is a lot of potential for personal growth.

How does the schedule fit with your lifestyle?

I was able to keep my full-time job for a few months when I first started classes since they were all in the evenings and on Sundays. Once the volume of work and academic rigor picked up, I cut back and decided to focus solely on school. It is feasible, however, to maintain a full-time job throughout the program.

When it comes to the Jewish calendar, the professors are very aware and work hard to try and avoid assigning any major projects during holidays. There are times when it’s necessary to have some homework due at the end of a holiday period, so that can be challenging, but with proper planning it is doable. Most other programs don’t give as much leeway with the Jewish calendar.

Sara Schenirer is wonderful when it comes to working with you on personal things like engagement, marriage, and generally moving forward with life events. I became engaged at the end of one semester, and although it was complicated for the professors because they had marking period deadlines, they all tried their best to work with me on timing of final grades. These were professors who continually pushed for high standards and were not generally lax with anything, but they understood my personal circumstances and went out of their way to do what they could to work with me.

How would you describe the support you receive from Sara Schenirer staff and professors?

It is fantastic! There’s just this amazing energy every time I walk into the office. At one point I was feeling overwhelmed and had a meeting with my coordinator, Yael. I remember telling her there’s no way I could get all my Coopersmiths (self-study exams) and classwork done. She was so sweet and supportive and just kept telling me that I was in a good place and could accomplish it all, and graduate on time. I took her words to heart and used that motivation to help me push through. Hearing how much she believed in me and knowing she was there to help, really got me through it. The staff at Sara Schenirer take the time to get to know you and recognize what you are capable of doing and give you the encouragement necessary to reach the finish line.

What advice would you give to new students starting out?

Stay organized and be flexible about how you need to reorganize yourself each term. The beginning of a semester can be disorienting at first because you have new professors and coursework, and you don’t necessarily know what the teachers are expecting from you. You will get into a rhythm and learn how to do the homework for each class. My advice is to not be too hard on yourself and give yourself at least two weeks to figure it out  – it will all fall into place.

What are your goals after earning your degree?

I’d like to use my degree to empower people to obtain the mental health support they need, whether it's through group sessions, one-on-one therapy, workshops, or awareness events. There are so many resources available and I think sometimes people are afraid to take the initiative to get help. I am particularly interested in trauma work – I find it fascinating how a person can endure something so painful and extreme in their life but may be able to work from the inside out to turn their experience around and become healthy and stable.

My education has without a doubt been key in preparing me to achieve my goal. It's interesting because I originally thought about becoming a life coach instead of a licensed therapist, but my family and friends helped me realize how beneficial a degree could be for me. Once I began my classes, I came to understand what they meant and how much expertise a therapist needs to have about the brain, the mind, and how emotions work. I can already see these concepts at play when I talk to people and give them guidance, and I recognize I have a knowledge base that I didn't have before.